I still need to tell you about a ceremony that took place with Durga and his brother but, it will wait.
Getting to Bardia was an adventure in its own right, I went by local bus.
Durga and his brother-in-law took me to the bus station in Butwal. It was complete chaos even Durga looked a bit lost but eventually I got on a little shakey bus and set off. Durga was a bit anxious about me being eaten by a tiger but, I think the bus was more of a hazard.
The roads were ok which was good but every five mins we would stop and the conductor would bellow out the door, which was permanently open. There seemed to be a signal involving banging the side of the bus which I couldnt work out! With that, the horn going and Asian music blaring it was noisy!
On occasion if there was another bus arriving at a stop the conductor would run and try to get customers I think!
Then there were longer stops and beggers or hawkers selling nuts or fruit would leap on.
The bus got fuller and fuller with people, hundred weights of rice all piled up in the isle. In one town the conductor got off and then was suddenly running to the bus shouting for it to Go! Go! Go! He was being persued by a youngish chap. Both got a foot on the door plate and then the conductor thumped the chap in the face! The chap hung on non-the-less and the conductor ignored him after that until he got off at the next stop…. It was very wierd and everyone else ignored it.
Typical, the only time Ive had an upset tum this whole trip was the day I travel 8 hours by bus! The toilet break couldn’t come too soon!
Later I had to change bus but the conductor pointed out to one I was to catch which was very sweet of him. So I got into another cramped vehicle.
I arrive at the village near to Bardia and then had to walk a couple of miles in the dark. It wasn’t too bad as the houses were all lit up and I needed to stretch my legs!
Bardia Homestay was so perfect. I walked into the yard, two dogs came up wagging there tails, there was a fire pit with seats around it and I was given tea and something to eat. The owners are Nepali and from the Netherlands. My room was basic clean and very sweet, a small tearrace with deckchairs and surrounded by beautiful gardens.
The Travelling Bee 